History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 207

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 207

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The Central Baptist Church .- This church was organized Aug. 13, 1828, and at first consisted of the following-named members : Levi Peirce, Elisha Tucker, Molly Leonard, Prudence Holmes, Anna Hinds, Sally Peirce, Sally B. Tucker, Thankful. Mil- ler, Patience Barden, Priscilla Tinkham, Rev. Nich- olas Medbury, Jacob Williams, George C. Leonard, Eunice Eaton, and Hannah Jackson (2d). Levi Peirce and Jacob Williams were chosen deacons. Rev. Nicholas Medbury, of Seaconk, was settled as pastor, at a salary of four hundred and seventy-five dollars per year.

In 1829 the following-named persons were added to this church : Eliza Eaton, Susan Lazell, Susan C. Wilde, William Jenney, Nelson Lincoln, Lorenzo Howard, Virtue Southworth, Eliza W. Crowell, Abi- gail Record, Eliza A. Drake, Lucy Lazell, Priscilla A. Tinkham, Hannah Jackson (1st), Deborah Shaw. Susan Thomas, Hope Thomas, Lucilla Peirce, Joseph Macomber, John N. Peirce, Rev. Zabdiel Bradford George Shaw (2d), Mary Bradford, Adnah Williams Charlotte Peirce, Lydia Shaw, Mary Medbury, Bena- jah Peirce, Jason Wilbur, Jane Wilbur, Elizabeth T Leonard, Hannah D. Crosman, Isaac Stevens, Eunico B. Stevens, Granville T. Sproat, Abner Waterman Mary Atwood, Zephaniah Barton, Leonard Tobey and Samuel Cole.

In 1830 were added Lois Williams, Lydia Brigdon and Isaiah Thomas, Jr.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

Added in 1831, Shadrach S. Bradford, James Jackson, George Vaughn, Tyler Williams, Julia Horton, Mary Fish, Orlando J. Thompson, Nathan Eaton, Abby Shaw, Henry Shaw. Freeman Shaw, Abigail Shaw, Hannah Caswell, Mary Lyman, John W. King, Mary Fuller, Zachariah Pond, James Murdock, Priscilla Morse, Hannah Vaughan, Lucy Farwell, Thomas Wilder (2d), Charles Pratt, Fidelia Leighton, Lois Leonard, Boadicea Peirce, Joseph Wrightington, Jr., Lucy Wrightington, Prudence Thomas, Louisa Thomas, Abiah Morse, Marietta Diggals, Ebenezer Bent, Levi Wood. Jr., Lydia Leonard, Rebecca Eaton, Patience Bennett, Luther Bent. Sarah W. Vaughan, Levi E. Lincoln, Mrs. Calvin Bradford, Betsey Thomas, Thomas Fish, Ed- mund F. Pope, Lovice Andrews, Susan Gammons, Louisa Gammons, Hannah Fittz, Hannah Rider, Henry Peirce, Ancel Wood, Jr., Polly Wood, Eliza- beth Thomas, Hannah Barrows, Mary Macomber.

In June, 1832, Rev. Nicholas Medbery was at his own request dismissed from the duties of a pastor of this church, and in September of the same year he was succeeded in the ministerial office by Rev. Her- vey Fittz, of Hallowell, Me., and he and Angeline A. Fittz were the only additions to the church during that year.

The additions in membership in 1833 were Danicl Makepeace, Stephen Tobey, Amasa T. Thompson, Betsey Thompson, Elizabeth Webster, Nancy B. Bond, Martha S. Smith, Mary Ann Tobey, Sarah P. (Tucker) Jenks, Rev. Henry C. Coombs, Mary Or- cutt, and Ancel Wood (3d).

In 1834, James Prideaux, Stephen Whiting, Wil- liam Gwynneth, Sophia Vinto, William S. Peirce, Myrick Haskins, Prudence K. Pcirce, Susan Dun- ham, Priscilla Lincoln, Abigail Caswell, Lucy Swift, Emeline Leonard, Betsey Ann Mason, Harriet Taylor, Lucy Churchill, Sarah Prideaux, James A. Leonard, Lucy T. Leonard, Augusta Clark, Lorain Williams, Sarah Hathaway, Elizabeth Stedley, Joanna Wood, Nancy Hammond, Elenor Stetson, Jacob Williams, Jr., Elizabeth K. Thacher (3d), Orin Leach, Admiral Leach, Joseph T. Wood, Susan Thompson, Rev. Avery Briggs, Mrs. Avery Briggs.

Added to the church in 1835, Patty Thomas and Jabez Smith.

1836, June 1. Rev. Hervey Fittz closed his labors here, and there was no settled minister during the remainder of that year, and yet the following were added : Albert T. Mason, Arlina Mason, Frederick Leonard, Jr., George Barney, Sally Cole, Nancy Vaughan, Hercules Richmond, Mary Richmond, Jon- athan Barney, and Margaret Barney.

1837, Jan. 3. Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, of West Cambridge, was settled as pastor, with a salary of seven hundred dollars per year. The names of those added to this church in 1837 were Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, Rebecca Nelson, Mary Wheeler, Asanath Williams, and Seth S. Lincoln.

1838. Charles White, Rev. Isaac Alger, Hannah L. Briggs, Rebecca Richmond, Emily Dean, Eliza- beth Rider, Eunice Cole, Abby Ann Lincoln, Jane Grew, Mary A. Fitzgerald, Lucia Martin, Mrs. Milton Alden, Sarah Leonard, Thomas Brigdon, Elizabeth Wright, Leonard Tobey (2d), Ann Gisby, Juliet Tribou, Job Macomber, Angeline Tinkham, Julia A. Thayer, Hannah Cole, Harriet Cushing, Susan T. Wilder, and George Lothrop.

1839. Eliza S. Hathaway, Rev. William Hubbard, Mary Hubbard, Mary A. Davidson, Martha Pottle, and Enos Eaton.

1840. Abigail Thomas, Hepzabah Bloss, Hannah W. Eaton, Mary W. Stockwell, Julia A. Stetson, Sarah Newton, Harriet Holloway, and Elbridge Cole.

1841. Elizabeth Brigdon, Rev. O. W. Briggs, William K. Evans, Mary Briggs, Mrs. Ziba Eaton, Mary Eaton, Charles T. Thacher, William Tinkham, Job Leonard, Nathan Morton, T. F. Leonard, Eliza W. Carr, Judith Peirce, Nabby Peirce, Lois Barrows, Ruth A. Leach, Mrs. Andrew Eaton, Sophia Thacher, Harriet P. Tinkham, Elizabeth Baker, and Olive Leonard.

1842. Amanda Newhall, John T. Clark, Levi P. Thacher, Nancy Harlow, Lucy A. Waite, Ann M. Briggs, Mrs. George Barney, Reuben Simmons, John C. Barden, Andrew Cole, Alanson H. Tinkham, Levi Tinkhamn (2d), Isaac G. Grew, Lemuel G. Peirce, George Waterman, Charles W. Tribou, Harrison Haskins, Josiah Gammons, James Harlow, Mrs. Catharine Barden, Sarah C. Churchill, Phebe Peter- son, Florilla Haskins, Sarah B. Gibbs, Mary E. Cush- man, Mrs. L. G. Peirce, John W. P. Jenks, Ira Thomas, Ebenezer Briggs, Jr., Andrew Gardner, Mrs. Andrew Gardner, Isaac W. Record, Julia A. Atwood, Polly Macomber, Louisa Eaton, Lucy Wateman.

1844. Rev. John Allen and Sarah Allen.

1845. William R. Wells and Drusilla Wells.

1846. Huldah L. Peirce, Lavina Harlow, Abby Goodhue, Ebenezer N. Chamberlain.

1847. Mrs. Fear Thompson.

1848. Aroline Briggs, Emily Dixon.

1850. Abby M. Bush, Rosella Lucas, Allen Thacher, Edwin H. Fittz, Adam B. Robbins, Eben L. Nelson, Angeline Gardner, Mary A. Hathaway, Mary P. Collins, Mary P. Bunting, Elizabeth A.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Remington, Julia R. F. Miller, Simcon Hathaway, Mary A. Thacher, Freeman Pope, Mrs. Freeman Pope, Mrs. W. M. Tobey, James B. Lovell, Lucian Wilbur, Joanna Churchill, Mrs. R. Medaris, Mary E. Haskins, Sarah White, J. B. Butler, Mrs. E. F. Pope, E. W. Drake, Elizabeth M. Drake, Aurelia Robbins, Martha Cole, George Ward, and Caroline Ward.

1851. In the early part of this year, Rev. Ebenezer Nelson coneluded his labors as pastor of this church, and on the 28th of March was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Aldrich, of Framingham, who was engaged to preach for the salary of eight hundred dollars per year. Additions to the ehureh in 1851, Rev. Jona- than Aldrieh, Catharine P. Aldrieh, Anna L. Aldrieh, Phebe Blake, Eliza A. Wilbur, Eleanor Barden, and Betsey Dunham.

1852. Rev. H. C. Coombs, Ruth P. Coombs, and Ruth Burt.

1853. Albert Mason, John A. Simons, Abbie D. Danforth, Emily Damon, Darius G. Alden, Naney Hamblin, Harriet Tinkham, Henrietta Mason, George B. Mason, Gardner S. Cutting, Harriet Oreutt, Han- nah Washburn, Nicholas Jenks, Betsey P. Jenks, Harriet N. Morse, and Sabrina Hathaway.

1854, April 15. Rev. Mr. Aldrich was succeeded in the ministry here by Rev. John B. Burke, from Shelburne Falls.

Additions to the church this year : Rev. John B. Burke, Jason Wilbur, Augustus E. Vaughan, Sarah B. Robinson, Rev. S. W. Marston, Rev. J. M. Maee, Mrs. J. M. Mace, Rev. O. P. Fuller, Rev. J. R. God- dard, J. Williams, John Wadsworth, Elizabeth M. Keen, Rispah Savory, and Mrs. S. W. Marston.

1855. In November, Rev. John F. Bigelow, from Bristol, R. I., was employed to preach at a salary of one thousand dollars per year.

Additions of members in 1855 : George Cushman, Mrs. George Cushman, Louisa Cushman (3d), An- geline A. Fittz, Harriet A. Fittz, Samuel C. Howes, and Mrs. S. C. Howes.

1856. Rev. John F. Bigelow, Mrs. S. L. Bigelow, Mrs. Calvin Southworth, John Briggs, Ephraim Hunt, Frank Adkins, C. C. Burnett, Mrs. C. C. Bur- nett, Rev. P. L. Cushing, Mrs. P. L. Cushing, George Sheridan, Harlow P. Goddard, Rev. Lonzo L. Fittz, Henry C. Haskell, Sophia F. Howes, Emma F. Sher- man, Addie A. Keith, L. Fearing Thaeher, Susan W. Thacher, John Thaeher, Lewis Thaeher, and Mercy Peiree.

1857. C. W. Leaeh, D. W. Leach, Ira M. Thomas, Mr. - Conner, Eliphalet Thomas, Mrs. Eliphalet Thomas, Sarah B. Wise, Mrs. Jason Wilbur, Sarah

Bunker, Mrs. Job Braley, Eliza W. Curtis, Eliza Clark, Hannah F. Hawkins, Charlotte M. Keith, Jo- seph W. McKeen, Juliana Hawes, Mary J. Mellen, Caroline Darling, Lizzie Sweet, M. A. J. Atwood, and Sarah J. Dean.

1858. John M. Manning, L. C. Manning, Lorenzo Tinkham, Nahum D. Wilbur, Mrs. N. D. Wilbur, George H. Everett, Mrs. G. H. Everett, Linus Dar- ling, R. B. Burns, Rufus A. Gorham, Julia J. Holmes, Naney M. Coombs, Kate S. Holmes, H. Othalia Beebe, John Willis, Mrs. Ira Thomas, Hannah Howes, Isaac Thompson, S. H. Sylvester, Mrs. S. H. Sylvester, Charlotte Sisson, Lydia B. Cushing, Ellen M. Loring, F. B. S. Hillman, Amos Sherman, Jr., Henry F. Thacher, Elbridge Cushman, Rev. Silas Hall, and Rebecea W. Hall.

1859, January 28. Rev. John F. Bigelow resigned his position of pastor, and the place was not filled until August, 1859, when Rev. Alexander M. Averill, of North Cambridge, was settled, with a salary of one thousand dollars per year.

Additions to the ehureh in 1859, S. H. Richard- son, Jane Wilbur, Rev. A. M. Averill, Rebecca F. Averill, and A. M. Averill, Jr.

1860. Rev. John D. Sweet, David W. Gurnsey, Alma Darling, Rev. John S. MeKeen, Rev. Charles L. Thompson, Mrs. C. L. Thompson, James B. Ham- lin, Horace Choate, Mary M. Lovell, and Daniel S. Ellis.

1861. Otis Leach, Mrs. Otis Leaeh, Alexis C. Dean, Asa Wright, John A. Hazard, Jr., B. May Ellis, George B. Fittz, and Mary C. Pratt.

1862. George E. Simmons, J. Arthur Fiteh, Susan D. Richmond, Mary W. Finney, Clara W. Perkins, and Sallie Leonard.

1863. In the month of May in this year, Rev. Levi A. Abbot, from Weymouth, was settled as pastor, with a salary of eight hundred dollars per year, and this was afterwards inereased to nine hundred.

The additions in 1863 were Rev. Levi A. Abbot, Mary A. Abbot, Elisha T. Jenks, William H. Smith, Julia Cole, Sarah J. Keith, Sabrina Ward, Samuel P. Keith, and Almeda Keith.

1864. The additions were Merey Dunlap, Ephraim Hunt, Samuel P. Hine, Franeis Sharp, Mary Sharp, Lois Leonard, Arnold Leach, Rev. George Carpenter, and Lydia B. Sanford.

1865. Clarissa Hayward, Charles J. Morse, Lavina N. Morse, Eliza A. Clark, D. Anna Pawn, Mary A. Gay, Fanny M. Drew, Caroline Ryerson, Mary B. Richmond, Mary T. Macomber, Stephen B. Gibbs, and Elizabeth M. MeKeen.

1866. Betsey Kelsey, Mathew H. Cushing, Polly

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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

S. Cushing, Judith J. Gibbs, Mrs. S. L. Carpenter, Mrs. Ephraim Hunt, Amelia Randall, Calvin B. Ward, Izanora Ward, Mehitable R. Thomas, Alice J. Warren, Ivanetta Wood, Charlotte M. Bosworth, Francis R. Eaton, Susan A. Eatou, Eunice B. Swift, Abbie L. Jenks, Addie S. Burrell. Edward S. Hathaway, Ma- tilda J. Bump. W. I. Jenks, Hannah Warren.

1867. Cyrus A. Cole, Lucinda Phillips, Aroline B. Penniman. Mary M. Thomas, Lucy M. Phinney, Georgiana E. Leach, S. Josephine Holloway, Charles S. Bradford, Henry White, Charles H. White, Lean- der Tinkham, and Mrs. Josiah B. Bump.

1869. In March of this year, Rev. George G. Fairbanks, from South Dedham, was engaged as pas- tor at a salary of twelve hundred dollars per year. That was afterwards increased to fifteen hundred dol- lars. The additions to the church that year were Rev. George G. Fairbanks, Caroline M. Fairbanks, Charles E. Jenney, George E. Parker, Caroline B. Chandler, Susan H. Caswell, Maria W. Brown, Rev. William L. Brown, Elvira F. Jenney, Dorcas Brown, Mary B. Keith. Ruth B. Thomas, Arthur B. Alden, Rebecca L. Leach, Susan M. Waterman, and Albert Alden.

1870. Emily W. Dean, Ebenezer Jones, Abiah Jones, E. Frances Wadhams, Flora A. Tinkham, Delia L. Tinkham, Henry M. Barney, Charles Barney, Abby M. Edwards, Harriet J. Morse, and M. Adelaide Jenks.

1871. Arlina Mason, Mary E. Haskins, Sarah C. Thomas, John A. Sanford, Homer R. Caswell, Daniel D. Sargent, Clarence L. Hathaway, Ernest B. Pratt, Mary E. Sweet, Betsey F. Jones, Alice F. Holmes, Caroline L. Sparrow, Caroline M. Winslow, Caroline M. Darling, Hattie A. Darling, Benjamin R. Glid- den, Hartley A. Sparrow, Caroline J. Sparrow, Julia A. Coombs, Annie L. Robinson, Stella R. Hanscom, Hattie P. Cushing, Josiah H. Vaughan, Elizabeth M. Vaughan, Isaac Winslow, and Eliza W. Curtis.

1872. Willard T. Leonard, Mrs. Willard T. Leonard.

1873. Mrs. Anna Dunlap, Elizabeth White, and Eveline Ober.

1874. George W. Sherman, Mrs. George W. Sher- man, Mrs. Betsey M. Vaughan, Mrs. Anna E. Cham- berlain, Charles Pease, George R. Snow, William Barney, Martha A. Braley, Mary M. Glidden, and Ellen F. Braley.

1875. Rev. J. J. Burgess, Mrs. J. J. Burgess, John C. Robinson, Harriet D. Burgess, C. Harry Houghton, Mrs. C. H. Houghton, Mrs. Sarah J. Luther, Mary A. Luther, Eliza Luther, Annie Luther, and Etta Pease.

1876. Charles W. Drake, Mrs. C. W. Drake, Thomas S. Phinney, Mrs. T. S. Phinney, Peter May, Benjamin J. Babcock, Mrs. B. J. Babcock, Mrs. Adria Peirce, Carrie A. Tinkham, Ida J. Washburn, Lottie L. Finney, Mrs. Priscilla W. Mitchell, Mrs. Anna J. Coombs.

1877. George H. Coffin, Mrs. G. H. Coffin, Oakes A. T. Clark, Frederick P. Chace, Mrs. F. P. Chace, Robert V. Cole, Albert T. Finney, J. Francis Peirce, Mrs. Abigail E. Peirce, Abbie J. Pratt, Abbie L. Sparrow, Mrs. Catharine P. Chace, Ellen P. Chace, Annetta F. Chace, Mary E. Chace, Myra W. Alden, Mrs. Lydia R. Thompson, Mrs. Susie S. Dunham, Mrs. Susie F. Briggs, Mrs. Sylvia Pratt, Mrs. Helen M. W. Elliot, Myra A. Andrews, Hattie C. Wilbur, L. Oakes Leonard, Francis M. Wilbur, William F. Harlow, Milton P. Hackett, Fred H. White, George E. Aldrich, Martin L. White, Edward N. Hackett, Mrs. Mary S. Gordon, Lydia A. Haskins, Fannie B. Leonard, Clara F. Hackett, Clarabel White, Franklin E. Osburn, Mrs. F. E. Osburn, Elbridge C. Hollo- way, Mrs. E. C. Holloway, James M. Coombs, Bay- lies G. Leonard, Mary S. Hackett, Myra H. Rich- mond, Cora A. Richmond, Anna F. Richmond, Norman L. Richmond, J. Annie Smith, Mrs. Edith E. Barden, Ezekiel H. Aldrich, Mrs. E. H. Aldrich, Mrs. Rebecca G. Ober, Lucinda Ober, Susie W. Alden, Sadie B. Jenks, Katie R. Vaughan, Clara Pease, Mrs. Bathsheba T. Tinkham, and Mrs. Carrie S. Holmes.

1878. George H. Perry, Mrs. Lucinda Weston.

1879. Alexander Eaton, S. Edward Mathews, Mrs. A. Augusta Dixon, Rev. S. A. Blake, Mrs. S. A. Blake, Stephen S. Gibbs, Mrs. S. S. Gibbs, Richard Z. Mathews, Mrs. Lydia Vaughan, Mrs. Lydia N. Thomas, Mrs. S. E. Sampson, Isaac N. Vaughan, Charles E. Jenney, Mrs. C. E. Jenney, Mrs. Mary A. Laurence, Charles B. Laurence, Walter Laurence, Mrs. Caroline M. Packard, and Mrs. Dora Shaw.

1880. Rev. Henry C. Coombs, David M. Ashley, Mrs. D. M. Ashley, Mrs. Clarinda Sisson, Alfred O. Tower, Henry Parry, Mrs. H. Parry, Lizzie Alden, Mrs. Hannah W. Fuller, Mrs. Mary L. Glidden, Mrs. Ellen M. Glidden, J. S. Turner, Mrs. J. S. Turner.

1881. Mrs. Ermina J. Hamilton, Mrs. Abbie F. Waterman, Mrs. Achsalı A. Stevens.

1882. Benjamin F. Johnson, Mrs. B. F. Johnson, Susan N. Mathews, and Mrs. Elenor H. Barden.

The deacons of this Central Baptist Church in Mid- dleboro', in times past and present, have been and are as follows: Levi Peirce, Jacob Williams, George Vaughan, William S. Peirce, Joseph T. Wood, J. W. P. Jenks: Ira Thomas, and B. J. Babcock. The place of public

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

worship was erected in 1828, at an expense of about five thousand dollars, and was the liberal gift of Maj. Levi Peirce, one of its original members and first deacons. Two additions were at different times made to this church edifice, at an expense of about two thousand dollars each, and thus the whole eonstrue- tion account amounts to about nine thousand dollars.

The failing health of Rev. George G. Fairbanks eaused him, in 1883, to resign his position as pastor of this ehureh, and he was sueeeeded, Jan. 31, 1884, by Rev. W. H. Bowen, D.D., from Providence, R. I. His salary is fifteen hundred dollars per year.

The whole number of members, as reported to the Old Colony Baptist Association, in October, 1883, was two hundred and seventy-nine.

The letter from this ehureh, addressed to that Asso- eiation, in session at Scituate, Mass., Oet. 10 and 11, 1883, contained the following :

" A revival of great power swept over this village last winter.

" It was good to be there.

" We are without a pastor.

" Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, D.D., has resigned his pastoral eharge through feeble health.

" We commend him as a preacher and a pastor."

The Methodists. - Among the first or earliest movements, if not indeed the very first, for founding a Methodist Church in Middleboro' oeeurred in the month of September, 1823, or about sixty-one years ago. A Methodist Church was formed Sept. 15, 1823, and at first consisted of Edward Winslow, Nathan Savary, Alanson Gammons, Nathan Perkins, Deborah Winslow, Martha Thomas, Merey Barden, Susan S. Clark, and Augusta Clark.

Rev. Asa Kent was the first pastor of this ehureh, and their publie worship was for a time conducted in the town hall.1 Rev. Mr. Kent remained two years, and was followed by Rev. Isaae Stoddard, who preached nine months, and then for a year the church was without a pastor. In 1826 and 1827, Rev. Lemuel Thompson was the pastor, and he was suc- eeeded by Rev. Elias C. Seott one year, Rev. David Culver two years, and during the pastorate of the latter (viz., in 1830) the Methodist meeting-house near Fall Brook was erected, and a board of trustees ehosen, con- sisting of Peter Vaughan, Cushman Vaughan, William Shurtleff, Nathaniel Thompson, Edward Winslow, Nathan Perkins, and Perey Thomas. After 1831 the successive preachers appear to have been Amos Bin-

1 The town hall at that date stood at what is known as "Court End," and was an antiquated building. After the erection of the present elegant structure the old hall was sold by the town and removed by the purchaser.

ney, Lemuel Harlow, Thomas Brown, Josiah Lynch, Proctor Marsh, Otis Wilder, George Winchester, Sr., Elijah Willard, Ebenezer Ewing, William Sam- plin, Edmund E. Standish, George Macomber, George H. Winchester, Jr., Philip Crandon, Asa N. Bodfish, and Israel Washburn.

In 1863, John Q. Adams eommeneed his labors as preacher, and ere long the hall of Mr. George Soule was hired as a place for worship, and Rev. Jason Gill engaged as pastor. He supplied the pulpit from April to November, 1864.

Rev. Samuel Whidden eame soon after, and in February, 1865, the place of worship was changed to the Baptist Chapel, that was leased for three years. In 1866, Rev. F. C. Newhall became the pastor, and he two years later was- succeeded by Rev. Freeman Ryder, and during whose pastorate the present ehureh edifiee oeeupied by this church and society was ereeted at an expense of twelve thousand five hundred dollars.

Rev. S. T. Patterson was the next pastor, and dur- ing the time that he was thus engaged the membership of this ehureh inereased from thirty-six in full com- munion and four probationers to one hundred and thirty in full communion and twenty-five probationers.

The next pastor was Rev. J. S. Carroll, who re- mained three years, and during which time about fifty were added to the ehureh.

Next eame Rev. Charles Maereading, who, in a fit of despondeney, committed suicide.

From April, 1876, to 1877, Rev. E. D. Towle was pastor, and more than one hundred persons added to the ehureh by eonversion. He was sueeeeded by Rev. A. W. Kingsbury, who was sueeessful in elear- ing the ehureh property from a debt by which it had been eneumbered.

Rev. G. W. Hunt was the next pastor, and it is to a historie sermon delivered by him Nov. 11, 1883, that we are almost entirely indebted for the faets pre- sented eoneerning this Methodist Church and society. The Rev. Mr. Hunt, in that valuable production, said, " From the five full members and three probationers in 1864, at the commencement of Rev. Samuel Whidden's ministry, you have increased to two hun- dred and seventy-four full members and twenty-eight probationers, making a total of three hundred and two, a net inerease in nineteen years, of nearly sixteen a year.

" About thirty members of the ehureh have died, one hundred and two removed by letter, ten removed without letters, sixteen withdrawn since 1871.

" This ehureh is greatly indebted to many members of the sister ehurehes for timely aid given and foi words of elieer, and while this ehild of Providence

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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

which they assisted has grown almost to as large dimensions as themselves, still I do not believe that they are less strong or have suffered in any particular through having a Methodist Church growing up at their side.

" We do not and will not forget the assistance ren- dered. cheerful words spoken, or prayers offered for us by the sister churches."

The Methodist Church at South Middleboro' .- As this church has sometimes been of that branch called the "' Reformed" and sometimes of that denom- inated "Episcopal," the tracing of its minute his- tory is rendered exceedingly difficult, and perhaps to a considerable degree impossible. It has, too, for a portion of the time had its pulpit supplied by one or more clergymen of another denomination. From the scanty materials now attainable we gather the evidence that as early as 1847 the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. T. Brown, who remained thus engaged for sev- eral years, and then for a time the supply was only temporary (until 1858), when Rev. E. W. Barrows, a clergyman of the Christian Baptist denomination, set- tled here as a regular supply to the pulpit, and remained several years.

In 1869 the pastor was Rev. Isaac B. Fobes; 1870, Rev. Benjamin L. Sayer, who remained four years, and was succeeded, in 1874, by Rev. Philip Crandon. Mr. Sayer died March 22, 1876. aged fifty-one years. Mr. Crandon died April 6, 1876, aged sixty-six years.

In 1876 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Charles Stokes. who remained two years. He died April 26, 1881, in the twenty-ninth year of his ministry, and being fifty-four years of age.

In 1878 came Rev. J. Sherman, and remained until 1881, when succeeded by Rev. O. K. Higgins, who remained one year, and was, in 1882, succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Solomon P. Snow, a native of Brewster, Barnstable Co., Mass. He was born Aug. 10, 1811. He entered the ministry in 1837. He is of the eighth generation from the emigrant Nicholas Snow. Thanks are due to Rev. Mr. Snow for information kindly furnished pertaining to the history of this church.

The Second Adventists have maintained a pub- lic worship in town, hiring a public hall for that purpose.

The Roman Catholics worshiped for a time in Peirce's Hall, but recently erected a church edifice.

CHAPTER V.

MILITARY HISTORY.

THE first war in which the country became engaged after Middleboro' was incorporated as a township was that familiarly known as King Philip's, although four years earlier, when Middleboro' had been incorporated but two years, war with Awashonks, squaw-sachem of the Saconet Indians, was anticipated and prepared for, and orders issued to raise in Plymouth Colony an armed force of one hundred and two men. Of that force Middleboro' was ordered to furnish two men. Awashonks complied with the demands that the Eng- lish made upon her, and so no war was waged or men raised.

In December, 1673, a war with the Dutch at New York was deemed imminent, and some preparations made to send a force against them; but this difficulty, like the other, was happily settled and adjusted with- out the shedding of human blood.

The next war-cloud could not be dispelled or made to pass over so harmlessly, but overshadowed and set- tled down upon the country, inflicting almost untold suffering and unparalleled woe.

Middleboro', at the commencement of King Philip's war, had but about sixteen families of European origin or descent, and those in these families able to bear arms were probably placed under the command of Lieut. John Thompson, who resided in that part of ancient Middleboro' now. Halifax, and he for a time appears, with his sixteen men, to have garrisoned a house near what is known as the Four Corners in Middleboro'.1

Concerning that garrison maintained for a time in Middleboro', under the command of Lieut. John Thompson, traditions have preserved a few incidents in its story, but tradition alone, unsupported by con- current and strictly reliable facts, is not generally sufficiently trustworthy to be put forth as history, and as these traditions, in all essential particulars, do not agree, we leave them for what the same are worth, without repeating any one of them, by adding that Middleboro' is said to have lost only one man, slain in King Philip's war, and whose name was Robert Dauson.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 207

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706